President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated the newly constituted Hajj Board, chaired by Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, with a strong call for precision, transparency, and innovation in managing Ghana’s annual pilgrimage.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, President Mahama outlined five key priorities for the Board: early and predictable planning, transparency and accountability, safety and welfare of pilgrims, discipline and courtesy among officials, and strong stakeholder communication.
He urged the Board to begin preparations for the next Hajj immediately, ensuring that schedules, registration procedures, and cost structures are announced early to minimise anxiety among prospective pilgrims.
On transparency, he stressed that all payments must go through approved and traceable channels, warning against unofficial levies.
“Pilgrims and their families must know how their money is used. Trust is the currency of leadership,” he said.
President Mahama emphasised that the safety and welfare of pilgrims, especially the elderly, women, and persons with disabilities, must be treated as a sacred responsibility. He called for closer coordination with the Ghana Health Service, the Ministry of Transport, and Ghana’s Embassy in Riyadh.
He also tasked the Board with developing a Hajj Mobile Application to enable pilgrims to register, verify their status, track payments, and access travel information, noting that such innovation would reduce fraud and ease congestion.
The President further encouraged constant engagement with the National Chief Imam, regional imams, travel partners, and Saudi authorities, saying effective coordination and communication are essential to preventing crises.
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